Introducing PSTC: Design, Conduct, and Evaluation process of a Pharmaceutical Strategy Training Course

Pharmacy students as future leaders of the pharmaceutical system must acquire different necessary skills through an interdisciplinary approach and pre-exposure to real challenges. To empower pharmacy students, a three-phase short-term elective course has been designed, conducted, and evaluated. The primary objectives of the course were outlined by needs assessment. The course was designed based on Harden’s 10-steps course planning. The content of the curriculum and educational strategies were determined through nominal group technique. The Delphi method has been used to decide on the methods of delivering the content in the course. The education process was problem-based and based on active learning. In addition, working in small groups and role-play were also used. Finally, the efficacy of the course was quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated by the Kirkpatrick model and semi-structured interviews. Based on Kirkpatrick’s assessment criteria participants’ performance was statistically significant (p0.001) compared to the control group. The qualitative evaluation also showed results in line with course objectives. Various courses with content similar to some degree to this course are held in different places. However, a small number of reports exist about their design, conduction, and evaluation process. Therefore, we tried to scientifically evaluate our course. Our study suggests that courses with interdisciplinary and leadership approach using active learning methods can be enjoyable for learners, in addition to qualifying participants for various pharmaceutical job opportunities such as non-clinical, academic, and governmental positions, accompanied by improvements in their level of judgment and performance.